UTech, Jamaica hosts President’s Knight’s Day

Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica joins the University’s Mascot and marching band in a parade during the hosting of President’s Knights Day at the Papine Campus on Thursday, October 12, 2023. President’s Knights Day forms part of UTech, Jamaica’s 65th anniversary celebrations and aims to UTech, Jamaica President’s Knights Day aims to foster school pride, positive interaction between staff and students and an enriched student experience.

A spirited day of celebration embracing the qualities and attributes of the University of Technology, Jamaica Knight, marked the staging of the President's Knight's Day at the University’s Papine Campus on Thursday, October 12, 2023 and on Friday, October 13 at the University’s Western Campus in Montego Bay.

President’s Knights Day commenced with a lively marching band beginning at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium with the participation of staff and students joining along the journey and ending at the Caribbean Sculpture Park for the day’s opening ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Ja. warmly welcomed the University community to  President’s Knight’s Day 2023. He extended special commendation to the organizing committee led by the Marketing Unit, noting “it has been great to witness the teamwork and camaraderie among our students, members of leadership, faculty, staff, various student groups and alumni who have been collaborating for several months to put together this celebration here at the Papine Campus.”

Dr. Brown stated, “today on President's Knight’s Day, we’re taking time to pause and to acknowledge and celebrate all that it means to be at UTech, Ja. and to be a UTech Knight.” He emphasized that, “the UTech Knight is a symbol of school pride and excellence in all areas: academics, sports and service to our surrounding communities.”

As Dr. Brown encouraged students to have a fun-filled and spirited day, he reminded knights of the UTech, Jamaica Core Values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Innovation and Team Spirit. “Today is all about celebrating these and other attributes exemplified by our UTech Knight, ” the President affirmed.

Rick Darby, Students’ Union President in his support of the President’s Knight’s Day expressed, “today is a day to celebrate being a Knight, and we are proud to be UTech, Jamaica Knights.”

Following the Opening Ceremony, celebrations continued throughout the day with engaging college/faculty presentations on stage and at exhibits set up in the Caribbean Sculpture Park. The Centre for the Arts hosted an entertaining lunchtime concert featuring a dance performance by UTech, Jamaica dancers, an instrumental band, and the UTech, Ja choir.

President’s Knights Day celebrations continued with exhibition football games on the front field with friendly rivalry among UTech, Jamaica staff and students. An After Party hosted by the Students’ Union closed out the full day of festivities, and featured guest artiste, Laa Lee.

The President's Knight's Day is a student-focused celebration aimed at fostering team spirit and school pride among UTech, Ja. students. The 2023 staging of the event which forms part of the University’s 65th Anniversary Celebrations under the theme “UTech, Jamaica Thrives at 65: Forging Technological Innovation, Driving Development.” was successful in its aim to strengthen the bond among the University’s faculty, staff and its students.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Ja. is guided on a demonstration on how to use a drone by Mr. Alvin Clarke, Lecturer, Land surveying and GIS programme, School of Building and Land Management, FOBE. Sharing in the moment are (L-R) Ms. Marion Brown, Vice President and University Registrar, Mr. Barry Thomas, Deputy Registrar and Professor Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of The Built Environment. The drone was used to capture aerial footage during President’s Knights Day.

Students and staff participate in a football match at the Presidents’ Knights Day at UTech, Jamaica’s Western Campus on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Students of the University of Technology’s Western Campus pose for a social media ready photo during the festivities happening on the President’s Knight’s Day on Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Western Campus.

End.